The first 3 reviews

These are the first three reviews for the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge for which I'm reading thirteen books by authors on my MySpace friends list.

The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper

About The Killing Circle: Patrick's son has been kidnapped and he's pretty sure he knows who is responsible.

Lots of energy and suspense with all of the elements that make thrillers so much fun to read. More depth than a typical thriller, too. Full review: The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper

The Line Painter by Claire Cameron

About The Line Painter: A woman's car breaks down in the middle of the night in northern Ontario and she is offered a ride by a man who is painting lines on the road.

Not what I expected but I liked it and thought it was an impressive debut. Full review: The Line Painter by Claire Cameron

Indigenous Beasts by Nathan Sellyn

About Indigenous Beasts: Collection of fourteen short stories.

Dark, often violent, sometimes disturbing. Full review: Indigenous Beasts by Nathan Sellyn.

2nd Canadian Book Challenge status: 3 books read, 3 books reviewed, 10 reviews to go.

Bradley Harbour

The cottage we rented turned out to be really nice. Not huge but big enough for the five of us. We spent most of our time outside anyway, on the large wrap-around deck.

I didn't warn the kids in advance about the wildlife so they were a little freaked out after reading this warning on the bulletin board inside the cottage.

We went swimming almost every day, Ice took the kids canoeing a few times, we played games at night, and had a couple of campfires and made s'mores. The weather was mostly beautiful.

We went to bed early and got up early every day. That seems backwards to me.

We went to Lion's Head a few times (for groceries mostly) and it was smaller than I remembered. We went to Tobermory a few times and it was busy and also smaller than I remembered.

I read three and a half books.

We went to the Visitor Centre for Bruce Peninsula National Park because I really wanted to climb the tower. The "see through" stairs were a bit of challenge for me (stupid vertigo) but the view was definitely worth it.

We went on a glass bottom boat tour of Fathom Five National Marine Park and saw a couple of shipwrecks, some lighthouses, and a bunch of islands covered in trees and rocks. They (the islands) looked just like the ones we saw on the boat tour we took last year, just not as many.

We brought Abby along with us and she was really well behaved. She spent most of the first night wandering around the cottage, checking on everyone constantly, but after that, she slept nicely beside our bed. We had to keep her tied up or leashed the entire time, which she isn't used to, but she didn't complain.

We all agreed that it was a great vacation.

More photos. (To see the photos that include my children, email me.)

The 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, Eh?

Since my reading habits haven't changed and since I enjoyed the first one so much, I signed on for the next round of the Canadian Book Challenge. Same straightforward rules but a full year in which to complete it this time.

Starting July 1st, 2008 and running to July 1st, 2009, I challenge you to read (and write about) 13 Canadian books (by Canadians and/or about Canadians). [From The Book Mine Set]

Last time, I chose my books based on where they were set, one for each province and territory. This time, I'm choosing thirteen new-to-me authors from these MySpace friends. I have a preliminary list of seven women and six men but since the list is subject to change, I'm not going to post it in advance.

I will be keeping track of my progress on this post. Linked titles point to my review. Unlinked titles mean I've read the book but haven't reviewed it yet.

Finished

1. The Killing Circle – Andrew Pyper (my library)
2. Indigenous Beasts – Nathan Sellyn (my library)
3. The Line Painter – Claire Cameron (public library)

Finished!

The final three reviews to complete the 1st Canadian Book Challenge. I actually read 21 books by Canadian authors during the allotted time but haven't reviewed all of them yet.

The 2nd challenge starts tomorrow! Join us!

A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence

About: Eight connected short stories, featuring Vanessa MacLeod and set in Manawaka, Manitoba.

Vanessa was interesting, each of the stories was moving, and the book as a whole was remarkable. Full review: A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence.

This book was my choice for Manitoba.

The Devil is Loose! by Antonine Maillet

About: A young Acadian woman takes on a powerful rum-runner.

I can't recommend this book, or at least this translation of it, because I didn't like it at all. Hopefully it's much better in the original French. Full review: The Devil Is Loose! by Antonine Maillet.

This book was my choice for New Brunswick.

The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume I: 1889-1910

About: Personal journal entries, covering Montgomery's life from age 14 to 36.

Absolutely fascinating reading, whether or not you're a fan of Montgomery and/or Anne, and I recommend it. Full review: The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume I: 1889-1910.

This book was my choice for Prince Edward Island.

The middle of June

We found a cottage to rent up on the Bruce between Lion's Head and Tobermory. It's not big so hopefully it won't rain much that week. I'm not sure what we'll do for entertainment besides going to the beach. I spent a lot of time up there at various cottages when I was kid but there were always other families (and therefore, other kids) with us. Personally, I would be fine with doing nothing but reading and staring at the water for the week but I'm not so sure that would make the kids happy. Ah well, I'm sure we'll figure it out.

Ice is actually taking the entire week off. The kids aren't sure what to make of that.

Friends of ours had a baby this morning. The new grandmother was very excited when she called me.

The best thing about the local fair (held earlier this month)? Fresh-cut fries.

Went grad dress shopping for K. My mom came along to keep me sane. Ice also came along for the same reason. As a result, things went reasonably well. Dress, shoes, jewelry bought.

There is an outdoor shower at the cottage. I had to reassure L that there was also an indoor shower.

My younger two were in a play put on by their drama club at their school earlier in the month. Entertaining but there seemed to be a higher than normal number of fussy little kids with inconsiderate parents in the audience.

K went to JUMP last week. She was very tired when she came home but she had a good time.

I have a lot to do between now and when we leave for vacation.

Next week is K's graduation and the last day of school. Can't wait.

Spider's Song by Anita Daher

About Spider's Song: AJ, stuck in Yellowknife with her grandmother, meets a man from her mother's past.

An intense story with a prickly yet sensitive main character and the added feature of a lesson for parents. I enjoyed it. Full review: Spider's Song by Anita Daher

This book was my choice for the Northwest Territories for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 11 books read, 10 reviewed (ohhh yeah)

May

So I need some balance here. I've been trying to catch up on the backlog of book reviews and I'm probably boring the hell out of anyone who knows me personally and still bothers to read this blog. Or not. I really don't know.

May has been a busy month.

All three kids participated in a murder mystery dinner at their church (or dinner drama, if you prefer) at the beginning of the month. As it turned out, K was the murderer and J, as a cop, led her off to jail. Obviously, I'm doing a fine job of parenting.

L and I went to an opening at an art gallery. We felt very sophisticated.

K turned 14. The same weekend, she was confirmed at her church. Because that Sunday was also Mother's Day, and I obviously wasn't going to relax with a houseful of in-laws milling about, the kids and Ice gave me Saturday off in exchange. Which meant I didn't have to do any of the cleaning! I liked that part very much. The visiting-with-the-relatives part wasn't so bad either.

The following weekend we went to a chicken barbecue. Well, we went and picked up the food and brought it home to eat because it was bloody freezing that day.

This coming weekend is J's piano recital. I'm not overly thrilled that it's on a Saturday morning but the kids were really disappointed when they realized that meant we wouldn't be able to go to the community-wide yard sale in our former town.

And one note from last month: J tied for second at the Kiwanis festival. The adjudicator had some really flattering things to say about his playing and his mark was higher than last year. When we got in the car after, I said to J, "I bet that girl practices EVERY day." And he replied, "That's what you said last year, Mom." Just tryin' to make a point.